STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1201

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.C.R. No. 88

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Water and Land and Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 88 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE UNITED STATES ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS AND THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO COLLABORATE TO CREATE A MECHANISM FOR GENERATING WATER CIRCULATION IN POKAI BAY ON LEEWARD OAHU,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge the United States Army Corps of Engineers and Department of Land and Natural Resources to:

     (1)  Collaborate to research and develop a plan for increasing water circulation in Pokai Bay on Oahu's Leeward Coast to improve water quality and mitigate environmental and health risks caused by pollution and contaminants in the water; and

     (2)  Submit a report on their activities, including significant findings, cost estimates, and any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2018.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from eleven individuals.  Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources.  Your Committees received comments on this measure from one individual.

     Your Committees find that Pokai Bay is a popular beach area on the Leeward Coast of Oahu, and over the last decade there have been reports of health and environmental concerns by beach users and the local community.  Your Committees further find that concerns about water quality and the need to mitigate health and environmental risks are valid, and that greater, formal research is essential to determine the best path forward to address these concerns.  Your Committees conclude that the Army Corps of Engineers and Department of Land and Natural Resources, along with additional collaborators, have the best resources to produce the necessary research and report.

     Your Committees have amended this measure by:

     (1)  Removing the paragraph regarding health problems among beach users as exact data has not yet been determined;

     (2)  Adding the Department of Health, University of Hawaii System, City and County of Honolulu, and Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center as collaborators in developing the plan;

     (3)  Clarifying that water quality improvement is included in the plan for Pokai Bay;

     (4)  Adding the Director of Health, Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu, President of the University of Hawaii System, and Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center to the recipients of certified copies;

     (5)  Amending its title to reflect its amended purpose; and

     (6)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Water and Land and Agriculture and Environment that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 88, as amended herein, and recommend that it be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means, in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 88, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Water and Land and Agriculture and Environment,

________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair

________________________________ KARL RHOADS, Chair